A signal processing chain, such as an audio chain, produces an analog output signal from a digital input signal. The signal processing chain is operated by generating a first flag signal for the analog output signal and one or more second flag signals for the digital input signal. Each flag signal assumes a first level or a second level and is set to the first level when a signal from which the flag is generated has a value within an amplitude window. An amount the first flag signal for the analog output signal and the second flag signal for the digital input signal match each other may be calculated for issuing an alert flag which indicates an impaired operation of the signal processing chain.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method of operating a signal processing chain producing an analog output signal from a digital input signal, the method comprising: generating at least one first flag signal for the analog output signal and at least one second flag signal for the digital input signal, with generation of the at least one second flag signal being based on both the digital input signal and the at least one first flag signal, and with the at least one first and second flag signals having a first level and a second level and each being set to the first level when a respective signal from which the at least one first and second flags is generated has a value within an amplitude window; and calculating, as a function of the at least one first flag signal and the at least one second flag signal, at least one of an amount at least one first flag signal for the analog output signal and at least one second flag signal for the digital input signal match each other, and an estimate of at least one operating parameter of the signal processing chain.
A method monitors a signal processing chain (like an audio system) that converts a digital input signal into an analog output signal. The method generates "flags" based on signal levels: one or more flags for the analog output and one or more flags for the digital input. A flag is set to a specific level if the signal it represents falls within a defined amplitude window. The method then calculates how much the analog and digital flags match. This calculation is used to determine either the matching amount between input and output signals or to estimate operating parameters of the signal processing chain (e.g., delay, DC offset). The flags for the digital input signal are based on the digital input signal, as well as the flags from the analog output.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sampling each first flag signal for the analog output signal at a same sampling frequency of the digital input signal.
The signal processing chain monitoring method, as described where flags are generated for analog and digital signals and compared, samples the analog output flags at the same frequency as the digital input signal. This ensures a consistent comparison rate between the input and output flags, improving accuracy in detecting discrepancies within the signal processing chain.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating a second flag signal for the analog output signal for a combination of a plurality of output signal components, with the combination being an OR combination.
The signal processing chain monitoring method, as described where flags are generated for analog and digital signals and compared, creates a second flag for the analog output by combining multiple output signal components using an "OR" operation. This means the second flag is active if any of the considered output signal components are active. This allows for monitoring multiple aspects of the analog output signal with a single flag.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising calculating the amount the at least one first flag signal for the digital input signal and the at least one second flag signal match each other as at least one of the following: a count of matches of the at least one first flag signal and the at least one second flag signal over a time frame; a ratio of a number of matches of the at least one first flag signal and the at least one second flag signal to a total number of either type of the flag signals over the time frame; and a variance of a number of matches of the at least one first flag signal and the at least one second flag signal over the time frame.
The signal processing chain monitoring method, as described where flags are generated for analog and digital signals and compared, calculates the match between digital input and analog output flags using one or more of the following methods: counting the number of flag matches within a specific time frame; determining the ratio of flag matches to the total number of flags (either input or output) within that time frame; or calculating the variance in the number of flag matches over the time frame. These provide different ways to quantify the relationship between input and output signals.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: calculating an amount the at least one first flag signal for the digital input signal and the at least one second flag signal match with each other; and generating a performance check signal indicative of the amount, with the performance check signal comprising an alert flag issued when the amount falls below a performance quality threshold.
The signal processing chain monitoring method, as described where flags are generated for analog and digital signals and compared, calculates how much the input and output flags match, and then generates a performance check signal based on this match. This signal includes an alert if the match falls below a pre-defined quality threshold, indicating a potential issue with the signal processing chain.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising calculating the estimate of at least one operating parameter of the signal processing chain as a target value based on a respective performance function by reducing a gradient of the respective performance function.
The signal processing chain monitoring method, as described where flags are generated for analog and digital signals and compared, estimates an operating parameter of the signal processing chain (e.g., delay, DC offset). This is done by adjusting the parameter towards a "target" value, based on a performance function. The adjustment reduces the gradient (slope) of the performance function, effectively optimizing the parameter to improve performance.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the at least one estimated operating parameter comprises at least one of a delay and a DC offset, and selecting the performance function as a difference of successful detections of the at least one first flag signal and the at least one second flag signal over a time frame.
The method of estimating signal processing chain operating parameters by gradient reduction, as described where flags are generated for analog and digital signals and compared, uses delay or DC offset as the parameter to be estimated. The performance function is selected as the difference between the number of successful detections of the input flag and the number of successful detections of the output flag over a given time period.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the at least one estimated operating parameter includes a windowing threshold, and selecting the performance function as a difference of false detection events and missed detection events of the at least one first flag signal and the at least one second flag signal over a time frame.
The method of estimating signal processing chain operating parameters by gradient reduction, as described where flags are generated for analog and digital signals and compared, uses a windowing threshold as the operating parameter. The performance function is the difference between false detection events and missed detection events of the input and output flags over a certain period.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating a performance check signal if the estimate of the at least one operating parameter lies outside a range for operation, with the performance check signal including an alert flag.
The signal processing chain monitoring method, as described where flags are generated for analog and digital signals and compared, generates a performance check signal (including an alert) if the estimated operating parameter of the system falls outside an acceptable range. This indicates a system malfunction or degraded performance that needs attention.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising feeding the estimate of the at least one operating parameter to a control loop acting on the digital input signal to compensate for system performance impairment.
The signal processing chain monitoring method, as described where flags are generated for analog and digital signals and compared, feeds the estimated operating parameter into a control loop that adjusts the digital input signal. This compensates for system performance issues, automatically correcting for impairments like delay or DC offset.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the at least one second flag signal for the digital input signal comprises applying to the digital input signal at least one of a delay, a DC offset, and an amplitude window.
The signal processing chain monitoring method, as described where flags are generated for analog and digital signals and compared, generates flags for the digital input signal by applying one or more of the following operations to the digital input signal: adding a delay, applying a DC offset, or using an amplitude window to define the signal range that triggers the flag.
12. A device for operating a signal processing chain producing an analog output signal from a digital input signal, the device comprising: at least one flag generating circuit configured to generate at least one first flag signal for the analog output signal and at least one second flag signal for the digital input signal, with generation of the at least one second flag signal being based on both the digital input signal and the at least one first flag signal, and with the at least one first and second flag signals having a first level and a second level and each being set to the first level when a respective signal from which the at least one first and second flags is generated has a value within an amplitude window; and a processor configured to calculate, as a function of the at least one first flag signal and the at least one second flag signal, at least one of an amount at least one first flag signal for the analog output signal and at least one second flag signal for the digital input signal match each other, and an estimate of at least one operating parameter of the signal processing chain.
A device monitors a signal processing chain (like an audio system) that converts a digital input signal into an analog output signal. The device includes flag-generating circuits that create one or more flags for the analog output and digital input signals. A flag indicates if the respective signal falls within a specific amplitude window. A processor calculates how much the analog and digital flags match or to estimate operating parameters of the signal processing chain (e.g., delay, DC offset). The flags for the digital input signal are based on the digital input signal, as well as the flags from the analog output.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein said processor is configured to sample each first flag signal for the analog output signal at a same sampling frequency of the digital input signal.
The device for monitoring a signal processing chain as described where flags are generated for analog and digital signals and compared, includes a processor that samples the analog output flags at the same frequency as the digital input signal.
14. The device of claim 12 , wherein said at least one flag generating circuit is configured to generate a second flag signal for the analog output signal for a combination of a plurality of output signal components, with the combination being an OR combination.
The device for monitoring a signal processing chain as described where flags are generated for analog and digital signals and compared, includes a flag generating circuit that creates a second flag for the analog output signal by combining multiple output signal components using an "OR" operation.
15. The device of claim 12 , wherein said processor is configured to calculate the amount the at least one first flag signal for the digital input signal and the at least one second flag signal match each other as at least one of the following: a count of matches of the at least one first flag signal and the at least one second flag signal over a time frame; a ratio of a number of matches of the at least one first flag signal and the at least one second flag signal to a total number of either type of the flag signals over the time frame; and a variance of a number of matches of the at least one first flag signal and the at least one second flag signal over the time frame.
The device for monitoring a signal processing chain as described where flags are generated for analog and digital signals and compared, includes a processor that calculates the amount of flag matching between input and output using one or more of the following methods: counting the number of matches within a time frame; determining the ratio of matches to the total number of flags; or calculating the variance in the number of matches over time.
16. The device of claim 12 , wherein said processor is configured to: calculate an amount the at least one first flag signal for the digital input signal and the at least one second flag signal match with each other; and generate a performance check signal indicative of the amount, with the performance check signal comprising an alert flag issued when the amount falls below a performance quality threshold.
The device for monitoring a signal processing chain as described where flags are generated for analog and digital signals and compared, includes a processor that calculates the match between input and output flags, and generates a performance check signal based on the match. This signal includes an alert if the match falls below a pre-defined quality threshold.
17. The device of claim 12 , wherein said processor is configured to calculate the estimate of at least one operating parameter of the signal processing chain as a target value based on a respective performance function by reducing a gradient of the respective performance function.
The device for monitoring a signal processing chain as described where flags are generated for analog and digital signals and compared, includes a processor that estimates an operating parameter of the signal processing chain by adjusting the parameter toward a "target" value, based on a performance function by gradient reduction.
18. An apparatus comprising: a signal processing chain configured to drive at least one loudspeaker, and to produce an analog output signal from a digital input signal; and a device configured to operate said signal processing chain and comprising at least one flag generating circuit configured to generate at least one first flag signal for the analog output signal and at least one second flag signal for the digital input signal, with generation of the at least one second flag signal being based on both the digital input signal and the at least one first flag signal, and with the at least one first and second flag signals having a first level and a second level and each being set to the first level when a respective signal from which the at least one first and second flags is generated has a value within an amplitude window, a processor configured to calculate, as a function of the at least one first flag signal and the at least one second flag signal, at least one of an amount at least one first flag signal for the analog output signal and at least one second flag signal for the digital input signal match each other, and an estimate of at least one operating parameter of the signal processing chain.
An apparatus (e.g., an audio system) has a signal processing chain that drives a loudspeaker, converting a digital input into an analog output. A device monitors this chain with flag generating circuits that create flags for both analog output and digital input signals, indicating signal levels within defined amplitude windows. A processor calculates the matching between analog and digital flags, or estimates operating parameters of the signal processing chain (delay, DC offset, etc.). The flags for the digital input signal are based on the digital input signal, as well as the flags from the analog output.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein said processor is configured to sample each first flag signal for the analog output signal at a same sampling frequency of the digital input signal.
The apparatus for monitoring a signal processing chain as described where flags are generated for analog and digital signals and compared, includes a processor that samples the analog output flags at the same frequency as the digital input signal.
20. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein said at least one flag generating circuit is configured to generate a second flag signal for the analog output signal for a combination of a plurality of output signal components, with the combination being an OR combination.
The apparatus for monitoring a signal processing chain as described where flags are generated for analog and digital signals and compared, includes a flag generating circuit that creates a second flag for the analog output signal by combining multiple output signal components using an "OR" operation.
21. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein said processor is configured to calculate the amount the at least one first flag signal for the digital input signal and the at least one second flag signal match each other as at least one of the following: a count of matches of the at least one first flag signal and the at least one second flag signal over a time frame; a ratio of a number of matches of the at least one first flag signal and the at least one second flag signal to a total number of either type of the flag signals over the time frame; and a variance of a number of matches of the at least one first flag signal and the at least one second flag signal over the time frame.
The apparatus for monitoring a signal processing chain as described where flags are generated for analog and digital signals and compared, includes a processor that calculates flag matching using: counting matches in a timeframe; ratio of matches to total flags; or variance of matches over time.
22. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein said processor is configured to: calculate an amount the at least one first flag signal for the digital input signal and the at least one second flag signal match with each other; and generate a performance check signal indicative of the amount, with the performance check signal comprising an alert flag issued when the amount falls below a performance quality threshold.
The apparatus for monitoring a signal processing chain as described where flags are generated for analog and digital signals and compared, includes a processor that calculates flag match and generates a performance check signal with an alert when the match falls below a threshold.
23. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein said processor is configured to calculate the estimate of at least one operating parameter of the signal processing chain as a target value based on a respective performance function by reducing a gradient of the respective performance function.
The apparatus for monitoring a signal processing chain as described where flags are generated for analog and digital signals and compared, includes a processor that estimates operating parameters by gradient reduction of a performance function to a target value.
24. A non-transitory computer-readable medium to be loaded into a memory of at least one processor for causing the processor to operate a signal processing chain to produce an analog output signal from a digital input signal by: generating at least one first flag signal for the analog output signal and at least one second flag signal for the digital input signal, with generation of the at least one second flag signal being based on both the digital input signal and the at least one first flag signal, and with the at least one first and second flag signals having a first level and a second level and each being set to the first level when a respective signal from which the at least one first and second flags is generated has a value within an amplitude window; and calculating, as a function of the at least one first flag signal and the at least one second flag signal, at least one of an amount at least one first flag signal for the analog output signal and at least one second flag signal for the digital input signal match each other, and an estimate of at least one operating parameter of the signal processing chain.
A computer program stored on a non-transitory medium (e.g., a hard drive) instructs a processor to monitor a signal processing chain. The chain converts a digital input signal into an analog output. The program generates flags for both signals, indicating levels within amplitude windows. It calculates the matching of these flags or estimates operating parameters of the chain (delay, DC offset). The flags for the digital input signal are based on the digital input signal, as well as the flags from the analog output.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
September 22, 2015
April 25, 2017
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.